Protective Footgear Device

ABSTRACT

A protective footgear device for protecting and disguising a medical appliance includes a sleeve, which has a lower leg portion and a shoe portion, and which is shaped substantially complementarily to a covered foot and an associated lower leg of a user, respectively. The covered foot and the associated lower leg are insertable into the sleeve. The sleeve includes elastomer so that the sleeve is substantially impermeable to water. A fur layer is attached to and substantially covers an outer face of the lower leg portion of the sleeve. A slit is positioned in the sleeve and extends through the fur layer. The slit extends from an upper edge of the lower leg portion toward the shoe portion. A closure is attached to the sleeve and extends along the slit so that the closure is positioned to selectively close the slit upon donning of the sleeve.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to footgear device and more particularly pertains to a new footgear device for protecting and disguising a medical appliance. The present invention discloses a footgear device comprising a substantially water impermeable sleeve, which is shaped substantially complementarily to a covered foot and an associated lower leg of a user, respectively. A fur layer is attached to and substantially covers an outer face of a lower leg portion of the sleeve. A closure attached to the sleeve is positioned to close a slit in the lower leg portion to upon donning of the sleeve.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The prior art relates to footgear device. Prior art footgear devices include overshoes with attached or attachable leggings, which may be zippered. The prior art also includes leggings over which shoes can be worn and which provide an appearance of boots. What is lacking in the prior art is a footgear device comprising a substantially water impermeable sleeve, which is shaped substantially complementarily to a covered foot and an associated lower leg of a user, respectively. A fur layer is attached to and substantially covers an outer face of a lower leg portion of the sleeve. A closure attached to the sleeve is positioned to close a slit in the lower leg portion upon donning of the sleeve.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a sleeve, which comprises a lower leg portion and a shoe portion, and which is shaped substantially complementarily to a covered foot and an associated lower leg of a user, respectively. The sleeve is configured for insertion of the covered foot and the associated lower leg. The sleeve comprises elastomer so that the sleeve is substantially impermeable to water. A fur layer is attached to and substantially covers an outer face of the lower leg portion of the sleeve. A slit is positioned in the sleeve and extends through the fur layer. The slit extends from an upper edge of the lower leg portion toward the shoe portion. A closure is attached to the sleeve and extends along the slit so that the closure is positioned to selectively close the slit upon donning of the sleeve.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective view of a protective footgear device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 6 thereof, a new footgear device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6 , the protective footgear device 10 generally comprises a sleeve 12, which comprises a lower leg portion 14 and a shoe portion 16, and which is shaped substantially complementarily to a covered foot and an associated lower leg of a user, respectively. The sleeve 12 is configured for insertion of the covered foot and the associated lower leg. The sleeve 12 may be sized so that the sleeve 12 is substantially complementary to an appliance, such as, but not limited to, a lower leg cast, an ankle cast, or a walking boot, that is positioned on one or more of a foot, the covered foot, and the associated lower leg of the user.

The sleeve 12 comprises elastomer so that the sleeve 12 is substantially impermeable to water. The sleeve 12 being substantially impermeable to water protects the user's lower leg, foot, any foot covering, and any appliance from exposure to water. As shown in FIG. 3 , a sole 18 is attached to a lower face 20 of the shoe portion 16. The sole 18 increase durability of the protective footgear device 10 and provides traction to the user while walking.

A fur layer 22, which may comprise faux fur, is attached to and substantially covers an outer face 24 of the lower leg portion 14 of the sleeve 12. A slit 26 is positioned in the sleeve 12 and extends through the fur layer 22. The slit 26 extends from an upper edge 28 of the lower leg portion 14 toward the shoe portion 16. The slit 26 may be positioned in a back 30 of the sleeve 12, as shown in FIG. 4 , in a respective opposed side 32 of the sleeve 12, as shown in FIG. 1 , or a front 34 of the sleeve 12 (not shown. The present invention also anticipates two slits 26 positioned singly in the opposed sides 32 of the sleeve 12. The slit(s) 26 facilitates donning of the sleeve 12.

A closure 36 is attached to the sleeve 12 and extends along the slit 26 so that the closure 36 is positioned to selectively close the slit 26 upon donning of the sleeve 12. The closure 36 is positioned so that the fur layer 22 substantially covers the closure 36 upon closing of the slit 26. The closure 36 may comprise a zipper 38, as shown in FIG. 4 , a hook and loop fastener, or the like.

A sheath 40 is attached to and extends circumferentially around the upper edge 28 of the lower leg portion 14. The slit 26 extends through the sheath 40. An elastic strap 42 is attached to and positioned in the sheath 40. The elastic strap 42 is configured to tighten the upper edge 28 of the lower leg portion 14 around the associated lower leg of the user, thus helping to keep water from entering the sleeve 12.

A pair of couplers 44 is attached to the sleeve 12 and brackets the slit 26 proximate to the upper edge 28. The couplers 44 are selectively mutually couplable and, when mutually coupled, help to prevent inadvertent opening of the slit 26. The pair of couplers 44 may comprise a snap fastener 46, as shown in FIG. 4 , or other coupling means, such as, but not limited to, button closures, clasps, and the like.

The protective footgear device 10 also may comprise an elastomeric strap 48, which has a pair of first fasteners 50 attached singly proximate to its opposed ends 52. The first fasteners 50 are complementary to a pair of second fasteners 54 attached to a top surface 56 of the shoe portion 16 proximate to the lower leg portion 14. The second fasteners 54 are spaced apart so that the elastomeric strap 48 is tensioned when the first fasteners 50 are engaged to the second fasteners 54, thus snugging the shoe portion 16 to the covered foot. The pair of first fasteners 50 and the pair of second fasteners 54 may comprise a pair of snap closures 58, as shown in FIG. 4 , or other fastening means, such as, but not limited to, button closures, clasps, and the like.

In one example of use, the zipper 38 is opened and a user inserts their walking boot adorned foot and lower leg into the sleeve 12. The zipper 38 then is closed and the snap fastener 46 is fastened to secure the protective footgear device 10 in place. In this example, the protective footgear device 10 shields the walking boot from view, thereby promoting compliance with recommended use. The protective footgear device 10 also protects the walking boot, as well as the foot and lower leg of the user, from the elements. A second protective footgear device 10 can be used on the other foot and lower leg of the user for aesthetic purposes, but also to protect and to shield from view a shoe positioned on the other foot.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements. 

1. A protective footgear device comprising: a sleeve comprising a shoe portion and a lower leg portion configured to be shaped substantially complementarily to a covered foot and an associated lower leg of a user, respectively, wherein the sleeve is configured for insertion of the covered foot and the associated lower leg, the sleeve comprising elastomer, such that the sleeve is substantially impermeable to water; a fur layer attached to and substantially covering an outer face of the lower leg portion of the sleeve; a slit positioned in the sleeve and extending through the fur layer, the slit extending from an upper edge of the lower leg portion toward the shoe portion; a closure attached to the sleeve and extending along the slit, such that the closure is positioned for selectively closing the slit upon donning of the sleeve; an elastomeric strap; a pair of first fasteners attached singly proximate to opposed ends of the elastomeric strap; and a pair of second fasteners attached to a top surface of the shoe portion proximate to the lower leg portion wherein the fur layer is positionable extending over the pair of second fasteners, the second fasteners being complementary to the first fasteners, the second fasteners being spaced apart, such that the elastomeric strap is tensioned upon engagement of the first fasteners to the second fasteners, wherein the elastomeric strap is configured for snugging the shoe portion to the covered foot.
 2. The protective footgear device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is configured to be sized such that the sleeve is substantially complementary to an appliance positioned on one or more of the covered foot and the associated lower leg of the user.
 3. The protective footgear device of claim 1, wherein the fur layer comprises faux fur.
 4. The protective footgear device of claim 1, wherein the slit is positioned in a back or a side of the sleeve.
 5. The protective footgear device of claim 1, wherein the closure is positioned such that the closure is substantially covered by the fur layer upon closing of the slit.
 6. The protective footgear device of claim 5, wherein the closure comprises a zipper or a hook and loop fastener.
 7. The protective footgear device of claim 1, further including: a sheath attached to and extending circumferentially around the upper edge of the lower leg portion, the slit extending through the sheath; and an elastic strap attached to and positioned in the sheath, wherein the elastic strap is configured for tightening the upper edge of the lower leg portion around the associated lower leg of the user.
 8. The protective footgear device of claim 1, further including a pair of couplers attached to the sleeve and bracketing the slit proximate to the upper edge, the couplers being selectively mutually couplable.
 9. The protective footgear device of claim 8, wherein the pair couplers comprises a snap fastener.
 10. The protective footgear device of claim 1, further including a sole attached to a lower face of the shoe portion.
 11. (canceled)
 12. The protective footgear device of claim 1, wherein the pair of first fasteners and the pair of second fasteners comprise a pair of snap closures.
 13. A protective footgear device comprising: a sleeve comprising a shoe portion and a lower leg portion configured to be shaped substantially complementarily to a covered foot and an associated lower leg of a user, respectively, wherein the sleeve is configured for insertion of the covered foot and the associated lower leg, the sleeve comprising elastomer, such that the sleeve is substantially impermeable to water, wherein the sleeve is configured to be sized such that the sleeve is substantially complementary to an appliance positioned on one or more of the covered foot and the associated lower leg of the user; a fur layer attached to and substantially covering an outer face of the lower leg portion of the sleeve, the fur layer comprising faux fur; a slit positioned in the sleeve and extending through the fur layer, the slit extending from an upper edge of the lower leg portion toward the shoe portion, wherein the slit is positioned in a back or a side of the sleeve; a closure attached to the sleeve and extending along the slit, such that the closure is positioned for selectively closing the slit upon donning of the sleeve, the closure being positioned such that the closure is substantially covered by the fur layer upon closing of the slit, the closure comprising a zipper or a hook and loop fastener; a sheath attached to and extending circumferentially around the upper edge of the lower leg portion, the slit extending through the sheath; an elastic strap attached to and positioned in the sheath, wherein the elastic strap is configured for tightening the upper edge of the lower leg portion around the associated lower leg of the user; a pair of couplers attached to the sleeve and bracketing the slit proximate to the upper edge, the couplers being selectively mutually couplable, the pair of couplers comprising a snap fastener; a sole attached to a lower face of the shoe portion; an elastomeric strap; a pair of first fasteners attached singly proximate to opposed ends of the elastomeric strap; and a pair of second fasteners attached to a top surface of the shoe portion proximate to the lower leg portion, wherein the fur layer is positionable extending over the pair of second fasteners, the second fasteners being complementary to the first fasteners, the second fasteners being spaced apart, such that the elastomeric strap is tensioned upon engagement of the first fasteners to the second fasteners, wherein the elastomeric strap is configured for snugging the shoe portion to the covered foot, the pair of first fasteners and the pair of second fasteners comprising a pair of snap closures. 